ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — Just a few months ago, few soccer fans outside New Zealand knew Tim Payne’s name. Now they are bidding thousands of dollars for the jersey off his back.
The shirt Payne wore in his debut for Club Olimpia, a Paraguayan soccer powerhouse, has become a coveted piece of match-worn memorabilia since the club put it up for auction online five days ago. With bidding set to close Thursday, the leading offer has climbed above 21 million in Paraguay’s currency, the guarani, equivalent to around $3,270.
It's the latest development in the unlikely rise of the 32-year-old defender, who entered the World Cup with just over 4,000 followers on Instagram and emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest social media sensations.
Before representing New Zealand at the World Cup, Payne spent most of his career out of the limelight, playing for low-profile clubs in New Zealand and Australia. He also spent two years with England’s Blackburn Rovers but never made a major appearance because of work-permit problems.
Then Argentine soccer influencer Valen Scarsini, known online as El Scarso, went searching for what he called the World Cup’s “least-known soccer player.” Scarsini settled on Payne, whose Instagram account had 4,715 followers at the time, and encouraged his more than 2 million followers across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to follow Payne, flood his posts with supportive comments and mention his name everywhere.
Within days, Payne's following skyrocketed, eventually topping 5.4 million — more than the entire population of his native New Zealand. The surge in online fame helped carry Payne to Paraguay, where he signed with national club champion Olimpia on a one-year deal in June, ending a seven-year stint with Wellington Phoenix in the Australian A-League.
Payne gave legions of new fans another reason to cheer him during his Aug. 2 debut against Asunción club Rubio Ñu, scoring minutes after coming off the bench to help Olimpia win 5-0.
Now the signed jersey from that match is drawing the sort of interest usually reserved for far more established names — though the leading offer remains a far cry from the millions of dollars paid for jerseys worn by Argentine superstar Lionel Messi and other soccer greats.
“I know exactly what it means to wear these stripes and play in this shirt, and that's why I want to give it to a true Olimpista (Olimpia fan)," Payne said in a video launching the auction.
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Olimpia's Tim Payne, of New Zealand, kicks the ball to score during his debut for the club at a Paraguayan soccer league match against Rubio Nu in Asuncion, Paraguay Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff says his latest shoulder injury won't require surgery, a notable change of plans for a two-time All-Star who has dealt with multiple arm issues.
This development creates at least a slight chance Woodruff could pitch again this season, though the prospect remains unlikely.
“I think there’s a low possibility,” Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said before the Brewers’ game against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. “But I think there’s a possibility, and why not go with it?”
Woodruff said he will play catch on Wednesday to begin a throwing progression. That represents a major departure from his initial expectations.
He had indicated in mid-July that he would be undergoing anterior capsule surgery on his right shoulder. He had a similar procedure in October 2023 and didn’t pitch again until July 2025.
“I’m very thankful, because I knew what surgery was going to do to me,” Woodruff said.
At the time of this latest injury, Woodruff was fully intending to have surgery as soon as possible to increase the likelihood he could return at least by late in the 2027 season.
Woodruff said Saturday that scans taken four weeks after his injury showed improvement. After consulting with Dr. Keith Meister, who performed the 2023 procedure, Woodruff said he received a recommendation that surgery wasn’t needed this time.
Avoiding surgery should allow Woodruff to return much sooner than the previous time he dealt with this injury, though he still has a long road ahead.
“Now we also have to think of the reality of it,” Murphy said. “Now he hasn’t picked up a ball. Now it’s the progression back, how quickly, how much risk is there in that. But we’ll do anything we can to have Woody a possibility for any of this season.”
Woodruff has spent his entire career with the Brewers and his 3.10 ERA is the best in franchise history for anyone who has pitched at least 500 innings for the team.
The 33-year-old right-hander is 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA in nine starts this year.
He went on the injured list in early May after a reduction in his velocity caused him to leave a game in the second inning. Woodruff returned in late June, but he dealt with another reduction in velocity during a July 4 start at Arizona and hasn’t pitched since.
Woodruff returned to Milwaukee this year after accepting a $22.025 million qualifying offer rather than entering free agency.
In other injury news, Murphy said Saturday that outfielder Sal Frelick should return for the Brewers’ series with the New York Mets that begins Tuesday.
Frelick has been dealing with a right shoulder strain and last played for the Brewers on July 17. He is batting .236 with four homers, 34 RBIs and six steals in 90 games.
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FILE - Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff works against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of an baseball game, July 4, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb, File)
